Bronze statue of artist Terence Cuneo to be housed at Brompton Barracks

From a busy international railway terminal in London to an industrial estate in Strood – a large bronze statue of acclaimed artist Terence Cuneo has arrived in Medway.

The impressive memorial which has graced the concourse of Waterloo Station in London is on its way to a new home at Brompton Barracks.

Krishna and Raj Kaler and Jon Purser (From Osborne) with the bronze statue of Cuneo.

Cuneo – who was the official artist for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II – was a Sapper serving in the Second World War and the RE Mess houses the largest collection of original Cuneo art on one site.

As a member of the Cuneo Society, the Army commissioned 13 paintings by the artist, widely regarded as one of the greatest military painters in the world.

After negotiations with Network Rail and the Cuneo Memorial Trust, it was decided to donate the stunning statue by Philip Jackson to the Institution of the Royal Engineers.

It is due to be brought through the Towns to the Army base on Friday, on a transporter.

The move is being carried out by construction company Osborne, which sub-contracted remedial work to RKR Engineering, based on the Medway City Estate.

The statue of Cuneo ponders its new surroundings, on the Medway City Estate

Managing director Raj Kaler said: “Our job was to restore the frame to comply with the Army. We normally move steel works and building materials.

“We have never been asked to move a statue before. This is probably the most unusual job we have ever done.”

Lt Col Chris Warhurst, RSME Station Commander and Commanding Officer, said: “We are honoured and delighted that the Cuneo Society will relocate the statue of Terence Cuneo in Chatham and we thank Network Rail for enabling the move.

“The statue will take pride of place in our new quadrangle on a redeveloped regimental site within Brompton Barracks, the home of the Corps of Royal Engineers.”